Teachers play a critical role in improving learning. Beyond any other school-based factor, teachers' effectiveness is the most important predictor of student learning. Consequently, we place the quality of teaching as critical towards succeeding in our mission.

 

But the world faces a shortage of teachers. According to UNESCO, nearly 70 million school teachers are required to provide every child with primary and secondary education by 2030.  In addition, a large number of teachers don’t have the required knowledge or pedagogical skills to teach effectively, which ultimately affects children’s learning.  Supporting quality teaching is essential because it improves learning outcomes, reduces the number of out-of-school children, and puts students on the path to success.

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While all of our pre-primary teachers are passionate about improving the lives of the children they work with, many of them require up-skilling. 

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The Waru/Wassa axis of Abuja is a low-income area with a high number of IDPs and a high children and adolescent population.  However, there are a limited number of state-run schools that provide primary education.  And the level of teacher competency is low and can be improved.

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Due to the limited number of state primary schools in these districts a number of low-income private schools have been established to meet the need for school-based education in the locality.  Most of these low-income schools charge school fees but given the low incomes of residents the fees they charge are low.  As a result, school owners cannot afford to employ experienced teachers and most of the teachers, while passionate about what they do, are not trained and under qualified. 

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In order to improve the quality of teaching instruction in the IDP districts we serve, we provide a Continuous Professional Development training program, initially to our pre primary schools and Accelerated Learning Hubs teacher only.  

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However, as we secure additional funding, we intend to expand the program to include teachers from state and low income privately funded schools that have a large number of children from IDP camps/settlements. 

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Also due to what many of the children have undergone in their lives it is essential that we provide psychosocial skills training to teachers interacting with these students.

Topics covered in the program include:

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•   Early Years Education

•   Literacy and Numeracy Development

•   Positive Classroom / Behaviour Management

•   Social and Emotional Learning

•   School Based Lay Counselling & Emotional Well-Being

•   Peace Education

•   Values Education

•   School Management

•   Building School Teams

 

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